sleep apnea first start treatment what to expect

Full Answer

What should I talk to my doctor about sleep apnea treatment?

Ask the doctor what your physical/anatomical reasons are for having sleep apnea and discuss your treatment options. CPAP is typically first line treatment, but familiarize yourself with other options such as oral appliance therapy, that are appropriate for your condition.

Is CPAP the first line treatment for sleep apnea?

CPAP is typically first line treatment, but familiarize yourself with other options such as oral appliance therapy, that are appropriate for your condition. Treatment options are dependent on WHY YOU have sleep apnea in the first place.

Do I need a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea?

Most people who use CPAP will first be evaluated by a healthcare provider in a sleep clinic and undergo a sleep study to diagnose the severity of their sleep apnea. 1 After reviewing the results and various treatment options, many will elect to use CPAP, as it is the gold standard treatment.

How can surgery help with sleep apnea?

Other types of surgery may help reduce snoring and contribute to the treatment of sleep apnea by clearing or enlarging air passages: The mask covering the nose supplies air pressure. The mask covering the nose and mouth supplies air pressure.

What should I expect from my first night of CPAP?

When you first use CPAP, you may find that it takes you a little longer to fall asleep; this will improve with time. It can be helpful to go to bed 1 hour later than usual so that you fall asleep more easily. You also may encounter a few other difficulties.

How long does it take for sleep apnea treatment to work?

You should start to feel the benefits of improved sleep in terms of increased daytime awakeness, higher energy levels and enjoyment of life within 2 weeks of using CPAP therapy. If you're only using it for a few hours a night at first (like many people do), you may not notice the benefits as quickly.

How will I feel after sleep apnea treatment?

Study shows that CPAP therapy reduces fatigue, increases energy in patients with sleep apnea. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea often report that they feel like “a new person” after beginning treatment with continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

How long does it take to reverse the effects of sleep apnea?

Treating sleep apnea may reverse the brain damage it caused. “According to the study, three months of CPAP machine usage resulted in only limited improvements to damaged brain structures. However, 12 months of use led to an almost complete reversal of white matter abnormalities,” Smith says.

How long does it take to notice a difference with CPAP?

With complex sleep apnea, the brain "forgets" to tell the respiratory muscles to make you breathe. This can lead to pauses in breathing that last at least 10 seconds about five times per hour. Fortunately, it resolves in most people with continued treatment. However, this may take several months.

Will CPAP help me lose weight?

In total, the CPAP-treated group lost more than 26.7 pounds on average versus almost 21 pounds for patients who did not treat their OSA symptoms using CPAP. The group without OSA symptoms lost approximately 19 pounds over 16 weeks.

How soon after using CPAP will I feel better?

You may feel better after one day; you may feel better after three or four. You just need to stick with your CPAP therapy and use your machine every night. Only then will you regain your energy and finally catch up on the sleep you've been missing. Take your CPAP machine with you wherever you go!

How my life changed after CPAP?

"CPAP changed my life," Becenti said. "It immediately changed my level of awareness, and I work better and live better since starting treatment. Plus, it's just nice not to be so tired all the time." Her advice to anyone considering sleep apnea treatment?

How do I know if CPAP is helping me?

If your CPAP machine is working properly then you should be getting restful, deep sleep. You'll wake up feeling less agitated, and more refreshed and alert. It may take time to get used to sleeping through the night with a CPAP machine.

Should I nap with my CPAP?

Naps make it harder to embrace CPAP. For CPAP beginners especially, it's important to avoid naps because they reduce your sleep debt. Believe it or not, sleep debt is a good thing to have when you're adjusting to CPAP treatment because it makes you feel more tired at bedtime.

What is the root cause of sleep apnea?

In adults, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked.

What sleep apnea does to your brain?

From research conducted at UCLA over the past 12 years, experts have learned that the gasping during the night that characterizes obstructive sleep apnea can damage the brain in ways that lead to high blood pressure, depression, memory loss and anxiety.

What to do if you have sleep apnea?

For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If you have nasal allergies, your doctor will recommend treatment for your allergies.

How to stop snoring and sleep apnea?

To eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a device called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP machine delivers just enough air pressure to a mask to keep your upper airway passages open, preventing snoring and sleep apnea.

What is a CPAP machine?

With CPAP (SEE-pap), the air pressure is somewhat greater than that of the surrounding air and is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open , preventing apnea and snoring .

What causes central sleep apnea?

Possible causes of central sleep apnea include heart or neuromuscular disorders , and treating those conditions might help. Supplemental oxygen. Using supplemental oxygen while you sleep might help if you have central sleep apnea. Various forms of oxygen are available with devices to deliver oxygen to your lungs.

What tests are done to detect sleep apnea?

Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. Home sleep tests.

What is the purpose of a nasal pillow?

Nasal pillows fit at the nares to supply air pressure. The mask covering the nose supplies air pressure. The mask covering the nose and mouth supplies air pressure. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks and headgear come in many styles and sizes to comfortably treat your sleep apnea.

What is a sleep specialist?

You're likely to be referred to a sleep disorder center. There, a sleep specialist can help you determine your need for further evaluation. An evaluation often involves overnight monitoring at a sleep center of your breathing and other body functions during sleep. Home sleep testing also might be an option.

What is the first stage of sleep apnea?

The first stage of treating sleep apnea is a diagnostic sleep study, where we’ll take a look at your breathing during sleep to determine if sleep apnea is a problem for you and how we can fix it. We know your time is valuable, so to help expedite your consultation, we kindly ask our patients to bring all of the following info with them to their first appointment:

Can sleep apnea rob you of sleep?

Sleep apnea can rob you of the restful sleep needed to live a healthy, happy life – but Spark Sleep Solutions can help. If you’re ready to reclaim healthy sleep and start towards a better quality of life, request an appointment online at one of our five locations in San Jose, San Ramon, Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, and El Camino Hospital–Los Gatos. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we’re excited to help you get back to getting a great night’s sleep, every night!

What is the first line of treatment for sleep apnea?

Ask the doctor what your physical/anatomical reasons are for having sleep apnea and discuss your treatment options. CPAP is typically first line treatment, but familiarize yourself with other options such as oral appliance therapy, that are appropriate for your condition.

Is sleep apnea for life?

For most patients, sleep apnea is for life and this is the time to be proactive in your prescribed treatment therapy. You are most likely in a sleepy fog when you visit the sleep doctor for your follow up visit. You will be given the results of your overnight sleep study, have a follow up visit with the sleep doctor;

What to do when you find out you have sleep apnea?

When you find out you have sleep apnea, your doctor will review your treatment options with you. Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes, devices that open up your blocked air way, or surgery. Your doctor will base their recommendations on how mild or severe your sleep apnea is. Together, you’ll decide what to try.

What are the treatments for sleep apnea?

Common treatments for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes and therapies prescribed by your doctor. Lifestyle Changes.

What are some ways to improve sleep apnea?

Lifestyle changes and treatments like continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP ), oral appliance therapy, positional therapy, and weight loss may make big improvements in your quality of life. Here are some changes you can expect when you start treating your sleep apnea: Better sleep.

How to sleep on your side?

This blocks your airway. It may help to sleep on your side or stomach. Try wedging a pillow behind your back or use a tennis ball or other device to alert you when you turn over in your sleep.

What is a CPAP machine?

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This is a machine that gently delivers air pressure while you sleep. It gently blows air through a mask you wear over your nose and mouth to stop your upper airway tissues from collapsing as you sleep.

Why do you wear a mask when you sleep?

It gently blows air through a mask you wear over your nose and mouth to stop your upper airway tissues from collapsing as you sleep. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but in time, you’ll learn how to adjust the tension so it’s comfortable and secure. Your doctor can help you manage your CPAP.

How to stop throat from snorting?

These can include smoking, alcohol, sleeping pills, and other medications. Change your sleep position.

How to breathe out of a CPAP machine?

You may find it initially uncomfortable to breathe out against the pressure of the CPAP. Keep your mouth closed with a nasal mask, or the air will escape from it. As you breathe out through your nose, there will be some resistance. As you breathe in, you'll feel like the machine is giving your breath an extra boost.

How do I get a CPAP?

Obtaining Your CPAP Equipment. Most people who use CPAP will first be evaluated by a physician in a sleep clinic and undergo a sleep study to diagnose the severity of their sleep apnea. 1  After reviewing the results and various treatment options, many will elect to use CPAP, as it is the gold standard treatment.

How to breathe with a mask?

If you use a full-face mask, you can breathe through your nose or mouth. Getting accustomed to this breathing pattern may take several minutes. If you struggle, you may want to practice breathing slowly with your CPAP while watching television or listening to music.

Where to put CPAP tubing?

Most people put it on a nightstand, or just at or under the edge of the bed on the floor.

Can I bring my CPAP home?

Bringing Your CPAP Home. It can be exciting to bring your CPAP home: it may represent an opportunity to sleep better and wake feeling refreshed, an experience that you may have been missing out on for months, or even years. To get started, you will need to take a few minutes to put things in place.

Can a sleep doctor prescribe a CPAP mask?

The prescription may specify a brand, or it may be kept generic—good for any of the manufacturers such as ResMed, Respironics, Fisher & Paykel, or others. The sleep doctor can also prescribe heated tubing, chinstraps, and specific CPAP masks .

Can I take a CPAP prescription to a DME?

Much like a medication prescription that you can take to any pharmacy you choose, you're also free to take your CPAP prescription to any DME provider that you select. These providers are not typically associated with sleep clinics, as this may represent a conflict of interest for certain insurances like Medicare.

Right Before The First Night

So, before I could begin using CPAP, I had to get my device. In my situation, I had an in person meeting with a DME representative to show me how to use it. She had me try on the mask with the pressure recommended from my titration test. She turned it on and away we were. At first, it felt weird breathing against the pressure.

The First Night

I remember my first night quite well. I remember going to bed earlier than normal. I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to fall asleep, so going to bed early seemed like a good idea. I measured the distilled water right to the line on the humidifier. I practiced putting my mask on and off several times.

Beyond The First Night

So my first night was a success, and it was all down hill from there. Right? Well, it wasn’t that easy. After my first night, the future nights I started to experience something I didn’t plan for. I would wake up the next morning, and my CPAP was turned off and my mask was off.

Final thoughts

First night is scary, but once you get through the first night, it is just trial and error after that what works for you. There are plenty of online support groups to talk things out. The worst you can do is give up.

What You Can Expect

Nearly 24 million Americans have sleep apnea, and many don't even know it, reports the American Sleep Association. The first step towards treating the disorder is getting diagnosed. The following tests can help in the diagnosis or treatment of sleep apnea.

Think you may have a sleep disorder? Start your journey to more restful sleep TODAY

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Taking a sleep apnea test at a sleep lab or facility

The traditional way to take a sleep apnea test is by an overnight stay at a sleep lab. Also called a polysomnography test (PSG), this “in-lab” sleep apnea test option requires spending the night in a sleep facility. They’re sometimes located within a larger hospital or medical center, and sometimes in their own stand-alone facilities.

Using an at-home sleep apnea test

The option of taking a sleep apnea test at home is a newer innovation, and thanks to the comfort and convenience it provides, it seems to be quickly turning into the norm.

Diagnosis

Treatment

• For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If you have nasal allergies, your doctor will recommend treatment for your allergies. If these measures don't improve your signs and symptoms or if your apnea is moderate to severe, a number of other treatments are available...

See more on mayoclinic.org

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment